Ruta das Pedras e da Auga (Lérez River Trail)
Starting just minutes from the old town, the Ruta das Pedras e da Auga follows the crystal-clear Río Lérez upstream through a canopy of ancient oak and eucalyptus, past moss-covered mills, stone bridges and natural swimming pools. It is Pontevedra's best-kept secret and requires nothing more than comfortable shoes.
The Route and What You'll Find
The main trail runs approximately 12 kilometres one way from Pontevedra city to the village of Bora, though most visitors walk the first 4–5 kilometres to the Muíño da Veiga mill and back — a perfectly satisfying two-hour round trip. The path is well-marked with wooden signposts and is almost entirely flat along the riverbank.
Along the way you pass a sequence of restored water mills (muíños) dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, their granite walls draped in ferns and moss. In spring, the forest floor is carpeted in wild camellias and bluebells; in autumn, the oak canopy turns copper and gold.
Swimming, Picnics and Practical Details
Several shallow, clear pools along the Lérez are popular for swimming in July and August — locals know them simply as 'the river' and treat them as an extension of the city's public space. The water runs cool even in summer, fed by Galician mountain springs.
The trail begins at the Alameda park on the edge of the old town, making it possible to walk directly from your hotel without needing transport. Pack a picnic from the Mercado de Abastos and find a flat granite rock beside the river for lunch — it is the most Galician afternoon imaginable.
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